CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL ONLINE SHOP

Yesterday, Ann V. suggested that shopping at the Canterbury Cathedral Gift Shop (or should that be 'Shoppe'?) might be an alternative to the crowds and crush on Black Friday. Alas, Black Friday has come and gone, but those of us here in the US have until December 9 to assure delivery of purchases from the gift shop before Christmas.

As usual click on the images for the larger view.

 

The pendant and earrings are attractiuve, indeed, but I'm a bit doubtful about the cufflinks with pictures of the cathedral. I don't see many men wearing cufflinks today, but perhaps I travel in the wrong circles. Here's the link to the page to purchase the items.

 

Ho, ho, ho! It's St Nicolas! And Archbishop Rowan! The idea of having stuffed figures of Rowan hanging on Christmas trees throughout the world seems a bit strange, but what do I know? In truth, but for the length of the beards, St Nick and Rowan look very much alike. The ornamental figure of the Archbishop of York is available, too.

Shop away, my lovelies!

NEW ORLEANS' 610 STOMPERS WOW NYC AT MACY'S PARADE

From NOLA.com:

The shameless, choreographed manhood that is New Orleans' own 610 Stompers grabbed the Big Apple by the shiny nylon scruff Thursday, rendering "Today Show" hosts Matt Lauer and Al Roker nearly speechless during the group's minute-long feature performance in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Or maybe it was the tube socks.

The group of 60 dancers, donning their regulation pale-blue short-shorts, shiny red jackets and gold sneakers, boogied a two-mile stretch of parade route from the start along Central Park West down Seventh Avenue to Herald Square.

Wedged, somehow fittingly, between a TV promo for the 2012 Olympic Games in London and a pink four-story Energizer Bunny balloon, the Stompers busted out to Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out For a Hero" from the 1984 movie "Footloose."

They thrust their hips. They pumped their fists. Some wore shades. All wore white terry headbands.

The moves, the outfits...awesomely cool in every way. Heh, heh.

Gwyn Andersen of Montana, who had camped out early on 71st Street and Central Park West for the parade, said her group of 11 agreed that the Stompers stood out as the favorite in a mostly traditional parade roster.

"We're like, wow. The thing that really catches your eye is they actually were quite polished. And unusual. Just that -- and their haircuts," Andersen said. "We all suddenly realized they actually worked at that. Some of the guys standing around us were saying, 'I could be part of that group.' "

On Wednesday morning, members of the group appeared on the "Today Show" with an appreciative Hoda Gotb, who once worked in New Orleans and knows a bit about the madness that characterizes the city.

But it was all prelude to the parade, where the Stompers showed off their "ordinary guys with extraordinary moves" bona fides in front of an estimated 50 million TV viewers.

"Finally a group that would take us," Lauer said.

"Tell Matt Lauer he still needs to audition," [Stompers leader Brett] Patron responded.

And it's only right.

PRAYERS PLEASE...

For Lesley at Lesley's Blog, who will celebrate her mum's life at her funeral this coming Tuesday.

For whiteycat over the next couple of weeks as she attempts to find a solution to the problems with her cat, Snowy.

Thank you.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfil now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

GEMS PURLOINED FROM OTHER PEOPLE'S BLOGS

From In a Godward Direction:

Thanksgiving and our Role

While preaching my extempore sermon for Thanksgiving Day, just prior to feeding the hungry in our parish hall, I realized I'd picked the Gospel for Year B insead of Year A (I'm already thinking next Sunday!) Perhaps this was a serendipity, though, for it struck me how well this Gospel about not worrying about what you will eat, drink, or wear fits in with this past Sunday's Gospel of judgment upon those precisely who failed to provide food, drink and clothing to the least among the king's family. God provides most of us with so much. Yet others have nothing. Isn't it then, through us, that "God provides" them with food, drink and clothing?

It is a scandal that today — this very night — people will starve to death while others scrape wasted food from their plates that they are unable to eat for surfeit and satiation.

Lord, have mercy. Even in thanks, remember. And more than remember, act! (My emphasis)

Tobias Stanislas Haller BSG

And we all say, "Amen!"

I have taken Tobias' post in its entirety. I hope he doesn't mind.

From Kirkepiscotoid:

I always find it interesting that the most common barb thrown by the "unhappy atheists" is always along the lines of trying to distill Christianity or any religion down to "where you end up when you die," when I would tell you that is the part that is rarely on my mind. I'm far more interested in Christianity teaching me how to live. (My emphasis)

Do I hear another "Amen!"?

Kirke's longer reflection is inspired by her mother's years-long battle with emphysema, and I urge you to read the entire post for it is very good.

A THOUGHT FOR THANKSGIVING DAY

From The Reverend Canon F. Hugh Magee:

Here's a thought for Thanksgiving Day.

"I'm currently reading 'Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln". I recently came across a quotation that impressed me and it seems to me not unrelevant to our cause [Defeating the Anglican Covenant].

It comes, not from Lincoln, but from Frances Seward, the wife of William Seward, Lincoln's Secretary of State (who, incidentally, first proposed that the last Thursday of November be set aside as a Thanksgiving Day, to be nationally observed).

The background to this quotation, which belongs to the days leading up to the Civil War, is with reference to a proposal that a constitutional amendment be introduced that if adopted would uphold the Fugitive Slave Law of 1793 -- it was felt by some that the adoption of such a constitutional amendment would placate the South and help to avoid a Civil War. Here's what she said:

"Compromises based on the idea that the preservation of the Union is more important than the liberty of nearly 4,000,000 human beings cannot be right. The alteration of the Constitution to perpetuate slavery -- the enforcement of a law to recapture the poor, suffering fugitive ... these compromises cannot be approved by God or supported by good men ...."

I invite you to reflect on this quotation and apply it to our present situation with regard to the proposed Anglican Covenant, which to my mind amounts to a similar attempt to preserve unity at the cost of liberty.

In that spirit I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving Day.

HUGH

Unity at what cost? In this instance, I believe we must count the cost.

Hugh lives in Scotland and is a fellow member of the No Anglican Covenant Coalition. When I asked his permission to use his words as well as those of Frances Seward, I offered to say a Scotsman sent them to me if he did not want his name published. Hugh responded:

June --

By all means use the quotation and identify me as the source if you like.

Although I am indeed a Scotsman, I'm also English (I was born in London). As a matter of fact, I'm also a fifth generation Pittsburgher -- the Magees emigrated to Pittsburgh in the 18th century!

HUGH

There you have it. Hugh is Scottish, English, and a Pittsburgher.

MAXINE SEZ...

Thanks to Doug.

Grandpère and I are going to my son's house for dinner, and we supply part of the meal. If I say so myself, I make a damned good sweet potato casserole. Now I will attack the broccoli casserole...wearing my bra.

A BLESSED AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL

Collect of Thanksgiving Day

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

For the Beauty of the Earth

We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of earth and sky and sea; for the richness of mountains, plains, and rivers; for the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers. We praise you for these good gifts, and pray that we may safeguard them for our posterity. Grant that we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation, to the honor and glory of your Name, now and for ever. Amen.

I AM DOOMED!

My number of page loads yesterday was 666, THE MARK OF THE BEAST!

AN OBSERVATION ON THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Have you ever wondered why foreigners have trouble with the English Language?

Let's face it: English is a stupid language.
There is no egg in the eggplant,
No ham in the hamburger,
And neither pine nor apple in the pineapple.
English muffins were not invented in England,
French fries were not invented in France.

We sometimes take English for granted,
But if we examine its paradoxes we find that
Quicksand takes you down slowly,
Boxing rings are square,
And a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

If writers write, how come fingers don't fing?
If the plural of tooth is teeth,
Shouldn't the plural of phone booth be phone beeth?
If the teacher taught,
Why hadn't the preacher praught?

If a vegetarian eats vegetables,
What the heck does a humanitarian eat?
Why do people recite at a play,
Yet play at a recital;
Park on driveways and
Drive on parkways?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy
Of a language where a house can burn up as
It burns down,
In which you fill in a form
By filling it out,
And a bell is only heard once it goes!

English was invented by people, not computers,
And it reflects the creativity of the human race
(Which of course isn't a race at all).

That is why
When the stars are out they are visible,
But when the lights are out they are invisible,
And why it is that when I wind up my watch,
It starts,
But when I wind up this observation,
It ends.


Cheers,

Paul (A.)

I have long pondered these matters, Paul (A.). Thank you - at last! - for answers.

A video update for your pleasure, with thanks to Eleanor in the comments.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

From the Associated Press:

Count your blessings this Thanksgiving. It's good for you.

While it seems pretty obvious that gratitude is a positive emotion, psychologists for decades rarely delved into the science of giving thanks. But in the last several years they have, learning in many experiments that it is one of humanity's most powerful emotions. It makes you happier and can change your attitude about life, like an emotional reset button.

Especially in hard times, like these.

Beyond proving that being grateful helps you, psychologists also are trying to figure out the brain chemistry behind gratitude and the best ways of showing it.
....

Preliminary theories look at the brain chemistry and hormones in the blood and neurotransmitters in the brain that are connected to feelings of gratitude, Emmons said. And the left prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is also associated with positive emotions like love and compassion, seems to be a key spot, especially in Buddhist monks, Emmons said.

However it works in the brain, Emmons said there is little doubt that it works

Always back to brain chemistry, but that's fine. There are those who must know not only that thankfulness works for the good but also the why of it.

I'm thankful for finding the article in my newspaper this morning, because I've been weighed down by the vast number of problems in the world, in the country, and in the church, most of which I cannot affect for good or for ill, and I have neglected to pay attention to all that is good in my life, especially the people. As the article suggests, I need to end each day by naming the people, the events, and the stuff of my life for which I am thankful.

St Paul reminds us:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9

Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love.

We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side.

We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us.

We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.

Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.

Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things.
Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)